Game 2 MERRIMACK: Questions

[bac2therac]

Lets be clear. Ron Harper and Big Cliff have showed up in the first two games big time. Double double for Cliff today with 11 point and 13 rebounds and Harper with 13 points/11 boards, his 2nd straight double double. Those two are showing how it gets done. They are our best two players by far. Today we saw the future with Jaden Jones and Andre Hyatt stepping up after once again our 3 upperclassmen starters were dreadful. These two basically sparked the win. Today's game had me incensed in the game thread. Let us be honest. Merrimack was terrible. They were nothing like Lehigh. The first half was a shitshow embarrassment....5 fg in 20 minutes on 5-25 shooting, only one made fg in 11 minutes. Just a dreadful showing for a team that is full of experienced players who know better who seemingly approached this game the same as their other poor effort vs Lehigh. I will credit the defensive effort in the 2nd half. Even as terrible as Merrimack is, RU went on a 17-0 run over about 8 and half minutes and yes their defense bothered Merrimack into taking jump shots almost all of them shorts or rushed bunnies. So as far as defense goes both 2nd halves of the first two games have been solid. Today just left me with a ton of questions and I am not sure the this is the team we thought we knew. I do not have analysis. Its all questions. I'm looking through you, where did you go. I thought I knew you, what did I know. You don't look different, but you have changed. I'm looking through you, you're not the same


Do you know why an experienced NCAA with 4 upperclassmen is coming out of the gate with little passion?

Do you know why Pikiell cannot figure out how to light a spark under his team?

Do you know why Geo Baker continues to be a ghost in the first half?

Do you know why Paul Mulcahy is taking 3 of our first 4 shots?

Do you know why Caleb McConnell is taking 2 of our first 5 shots?

Do you know IF our best players are actually not the ones in the starting lineup?

Do you know why Pikiell insists on trotting out the historically proven ineffective lineup of Geo/Paul/Caleb as our guards?

Did you know our starting guards were 1-15 overall and 0-12 in the first half?

Do you still think JY wasnt an enormous loss?

Do you think that Pikiell is falling back on loyalty over talent?

Do you know why Jaden Jones barely played in the first game and the first half of this game?

Do you think Hyatt and Jones are better than Caleb and Paul?

Do you know why it took guys like Hyatt and Jones to spark the win over a rotten team rather than the NCAA experienced playters

Do you know why we wouldnt try to pound the ball to Cliff everytime down the court?

Do you know why we were so bothered by a very low minor conference's teams matchup zone?

Do you know why people thought Agee was a capable player as backup to Cliff coming from a midmajor where he was unimpressive?

Do you know why recruiting isn't all that hot despite a NCAA tourney bid?

Do you think that there needs to be a lineup change soon?

Do you think that there will be a lineup change?

Do you know why the RAC was chilly?

Do you have any more questions?

Do you know where this team is going to?



I'm looking through you, where did you go?
I thought I knew you, what did I know?
You don't look different, but you have changed
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Your lips are moving, I cannot hear
Your voice is soothing, but the words aren't clear
You don't sound different, I've learned the game
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight

You're thinking of me, the same old way
You were above me, but not today
The only difference is you're down there
I'm looking through you, and you're nowhere

Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight

I'm looking through you, where did you go
I thought I knew you, what did I know
You don't look different, but you have changed
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

 

[runova09]

Good analysis bac.... I think it's pretty obvious that the starting 5 needs to change. Paul and Caleb really shouldn't be on the court with each other. I feel like Hyatt should be inserted in the lineup. Hopefully his inclusion in the starting lineup will have the same effect as Yeboah becoming a starter 2 years ago.
Really disappointing start to the season so far tho

 

[kcg88]

The Agee stuff is so frustrating, people here have got to stop talking themselves into every single player Pikiell brings in. Reiber isn't anything special but he at least he puts a body on his guy and works to prevent him from getting a touch.

The key to the game was Pikiell bringing Reiber in when Cliff needed a break in the second half. If Agee came in our momentum would have evaporated.

 

[RUsojo]

Nothing new happening. Nearly everyone denied these things were going to or already were happening.

 

[bac2therac]

Nothing new happening. Nearly everyone denied these things were going to or already were happening.

not me

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Rutgers basketball in the Pikiell era has been built on defense. Against some of the elite teams in B1G play defense will be a necessity for PT, especially if 1 weak defender is already guaranteed minutes.

 

[RUJMM78]

Plenty of questions which focus on the starting five,the abysmal offense,inability to attack a zone defense and not enough playing time for Jones and Hyatt.I am most concerned about the performance of Baker,Mulcahy and McConnell because their prior experience hasn't translated into offensive execution against two inferior opponents.The clock is ticking and the competition will get far more difficult in December.

 

[RU-ROCS]

I w

Lets be clear. Ron Harper and Big Cliff have showed up in the first two games big time. Double double for Cliff today with 11 point and 13 rebounds and Harper with 13 points/11 boards, his 2nd straight double double. Those two are showing how it gets done. They are our best two players by far. Today we saw the future with Jaden Jones and Andre Hyatt stepping up after once again our 3 upperclassmen starters were dreadful. These two basically sparked the win. Today's game had me incensed in the game thread. Let us be honest. Merrimack was terrible. They were nothing like Lehigh. The first half was a shitshow embarrassment....5 fg in 20 minutes on 5-25 shooting, only one made fg in 11 minutes. Just a dreadful showing for a team that is full of experienced players who know better who seemingly approached this game the same as their other poor effort vs Lehigh. I will credit the defensive effort in the 2nd half. Even as terrible as Merrimack is, RU went on a 17-0 run over about 8 and half minutes and yes their defense bothered Merrimack into taking jump shots almost all of them shorts or rushed bunnies. So as far as defense goes both 2nd halves of the first two games have been solid. Today just left me with a ton of questions and I am not sure the this is the team we thought we knew. I do not have analysis. Its all questions. I'm looking through you, where did you go. I thought I knew you, what did I know. You don't look different, but you have changed. I'm looking through you, you're not the same


Do you know why an experienced NCAA with 4 upperclassmen is coming out of the gate with little passion?

Do you know why Pikiell cannot figure out how to light a spark under his team?

Do you know why Geo Baker continues to be a ghost in the first half?

Do you know why Paul Mulcahy is taking 3 of our first 4 shots?

Do you know why Caleb McConnell is taking 2 of our first 5 shots?

Do you know IF our best players are actually not the ones in the starting lineup?

Do you know why Pikiell insists on trotting out the historically proven ineffective lineup of Geo/Paul/Caleb as our guards?

Did you know our starting guards were 1-15 overall and 0-12 in the first half?

Do you still think JY wasnt an enormous loss?

Do you think that Pikiell is falling back on loyalty over talent?

Do you know why Jaden Jones barely played in the first game and the first half of this game?

Do you think Hyatt and Jones are better than Caleb and Paul?

Do you know why it took guys like Hyatt and Jones to spark the win over a rotten team rather than the NCAA experienced playters

Do you know why we wouldnt try to pound the ball to Cliff everytime down the court?

Do you know why we were so bothered by a very low minor conference's teams matchup zone?

Do you know why people thought Agee was a capable player as backup to Cliff coming from a midmajor where he was unimpressive?

Do you know why recruiting isn't all that hot despite a NCAA tourney bid?

Do you think that there needs to be a lineup change soon?

Do you think that there will be a lineup change?

Do you know why the RAC was chilly?

Do you have any more questions?

Do you know where this team is going to?



I'm looking through you, where did you go?
I thought I knew you, what did I know?
You don't look different, but you have changed
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Your lips are moving, I cannot hear
Your voice is soothing, but the words aren't clear
You don't sound different, I've learned the game
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight

You're thinking of me, the same old way
You were above me, but not today
The only difference is you're down there
I'm looking through you, and you're nowhere

Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight

I'm looking through you, where did you go
I thought I knew you, what did I know
You don't look different, but you have changed
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

I would not include Geo with Mulcahy and McConnell. Geo had 6 assists and 0 TOs and did a very good job running the point in the 2nd half after Mulcahy **** the bed again.

 

[kcg88]

NJIT up 36-23 at Lehigh. So much for the "Lehigh is underrated" talking point.

 

[bac2therac]

get ready for NJIT is a powerhouse

 

[NickRU714]

I'm more concerned about RHJ than PM/CM.

PM/CM are who we thought they were.
Role players.

RHJ, our best player, is scoring 14 and 13pts against our 2 worst oppenents.
His career average is 14pts. Would have expected well over that against Lehigh/Merrimack.

Game 1: 5-12 shooting and 4-5FT but 0-3 from 3pt
Game 2: 5-13 shooting and 1-5 FT.
He scored 7pts in the 1st half and 6 in the 2nd.

He's the guy supposed to stop an 11min drought.

The rebounds are great but when does the scoring happen if not against Lehigh/Merrimack?

Who is going to pick up the slack?

 

[Knight Shift]

get ready for NJIT is a powerhouse

Who lost to Merrimack

 

[BigEastPhil]

We are stinking the bed because Mulcahy; Caleb and Agee have been awful. I’m glad Pike benched them in the second half and went with Jones; Hyatt and Reiber

Mulcahy is probably feeling the pressure of being the PG and Caleb needs to focus in on defense and getting dirty - not being an offensive player which he is not

Agee is just awful so far and I’d like to see Reiber be the backup 5

Thank goodness that Cliff and Harp are bringing it

I don’t expect a change in the starting lineup yet but I’d like to see Geo play more PG over Paul

Glad to see Hyatt and Jones gain confidence etc and I’m sure Pike will not be bashful to have them play significant minutes going forward

Long term however my concerns are lack of outside shooting and lack of a PG who can drive.

We have a talented team but one with several glaring weaknesses

 

[bac2therac]

I w

I would not include Geo with Mulcahy and McConnell. Geo had 6 assists and 0 TOs and did a very good job running the point in the 2nd half after Mulcahy **** the bed again.

Geo's first half disappearing act is an issue for me

I'm more concerned about RHJ than PM/CM.

PM/CM are who we thought they were.
Role players.

RHJ, our best player, is scoring 14 and 13pts against our 2 worst oppenents.
His career average is 14pts. Would have expected well over that against Lehigh/Merrimack.

Game 1: 5-12 shooting and 4-5FT but 0-3 from 3pt
Game 2: 5-13 shooting and 1-5 FT.
He scored 7pts in the 1st half and 6 in the 2nd.

He's the guy supposed to stop an 11min drought.

The rebounds are great but when does the scoring happen if not against Lehigh/Merrimack?

Who is going to pick up the slack?

I think Harper has been fine. He is drawing the most defense. They are literally leaving some guys open. He is rebounding like crazy. He is the least of our worries

Caleb and Paul took our first 5 shots

 

[Night Man]

Physical talent shines against "inferior" competition.

That competition is usually not inferior in ways other than physical talent; find me 50 teams with starting guards/wings who can square up from 3 and shoot as poorly as RU's have.

Cliff has the physical talent to alter a game like this. Ron has it but makes it tough on himself when his shot isn't falling, which it hasn't been since the 1st half of the 1st game of 2021. Guys who can physically dominate are what keeps high majors afloat against mid and low majors when things get hairy. Can't speak to Hyatt and Jones yet.

 

[RUTrack94]

NJIT beat Lehigh by 20

 

[gmay8]

The RU team is just not very good. That’s all there is too it. Hype far exceeded the actual talent and desire on this team.
Geo maybe shouldn’t have come back, he doesn’t really seem into it.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Jones and Hyatt basically played the last 10 minutes and Caleb and Mulcahy were justifiably on the bench. It was obvious to everyone in the building that the Cliff, Harper, Hyatt, Geo, Jones combo was the best combo by far. I want to see a lot more of Jones in the early season so Pikiell can trust him when we get to the conference slate. The talent and confidence is there but he will inevitably force the issue a bit but if we want to make some real noise he has got to have an important role.

Mulcahy just needs to go back to being a role player. Just frustrating to watch him struggle on both ends. This is his third year and going from starting and being “New Jersey’s Point Guard” to being a role player would obviously not sit well with him but we will not go anywhere with him with the ball in his hands so much.. His play in the middle produced no results either. He did not make any plays and was not a threat to bang down a 12-15 shot in the paint. I was always skeptical how Mulcahy playing a lot of point could work. Just didn’t see it. Didn’t think it would be this bad against this level of competition though. And Caleb as an alternative is not looking good either because Caleb has been pretty dreadful on offense too.

Hyatt and Jones need to play. More.

Geo is the same as he’s always been and he’s like a 24 year old He’s always deferred to teammates in the first half and then takes a lead role down the stretch. His body language is the same as it ever was and no one’s body language is good when the team is turning the ball over and shooting 20% against inferior talent. Over the long haul and when it’s winning time, Geo is not someone we’re going to have to worry about.

 

[dpwhite]

The RU team is just not very good. That’s all there is too it. Hype far exceeded the actual talent and desire on this team.
Geo maybe shouldn’t have come back, he doesn’t really seem into it.

Geo had 6 assists and no turnovers and was plus 13 for the game—2nd best on the team.

 

[JonathanAlan]

What puzzles me is all the talk after the scrimmages against UCONN and Villanova was that this team was really good , moved the ball well and may be better than last year's team. Huh? I don't understand it. This team does not look athletic , is slow, and still cannot shoot. Boy do we miss JY and his energy, speed and quickness to go with his steals and ability to penetrate. As others have said, Hyatt and Jones need to start. And why not give the point guard recruit from DC some minutes ? He can't be any worse than Mulcahy...Recruiting needs to improve--out of last year's 4 freshmen, only Cliff is contributing and making a difference. And that's not good...

 

[zappaa]

Geo should be the point guard

 

[RU-ROCS]

NJIT beat Lehigh by 20

it was actually 17, but what’s the point? Merrimack beat NJIT and lost to us by 13.

 

[NickRU714]

Geo's first half disappearing act is an issue for me

I think Harper has been fine. He is drawing the most defense. They are literally leaving some guys open. He is rebounding like crazy. He is the least of our worries

Caleb and Paul took our first 5 shots

Our best player (All-BIG, NBA draft pick?) is being controlled by the tenacious Lehigh and Merrimack defenses.
That seems a bigger problem than shuffling around role players.

Last year RHJ was at least putting up 20+ in the OOC games.
Team is only going as far as RHJ takes them unless someone else is going to take over the offense (Cliff??)

RHJ scored 7 pts in the 1st half then 6 in the 2nd half.
Could easily say RHJ disappeared in both halves on offense.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Geo should be the point guard

yes.. if 2 games can tell a story that is what it tells... don't know if that story is the truth or an illusion... but I am a bigger fan of action than inaction and hoping things work out.

PM has earned coming off the bench.. I think he can accept that.. for NOW. Once he hits a few shots maybe we can take another look at him in an expanded role again. I am guessing Pike thinks it is just a slump.. and you cannot get out of a slump on the bench.

Instead of missing shots and going into a funk (which was clear in these 2 games).. PM should start his next PT doing everything EXCEPT shooting.. pass, D up, board... once he feels good about his contributions along those lines maybe he'll loosen up and lose the slump.

One question OP asked about the shots from PM and Caleb... I think that goes to what they ALL SAID.. in interviews.. this year the ball will be shared.. and where PM is concerned.. we all said last year that he turns down too many open looks in favor of risky passes... no idea why he is missing those shots... but he has to get better.. and I think going to 6th man for now is the right move.

Geo is a bit better.. but, damn.. we need MORE from him. As it is maybe Jaden and Hyatt should start with Geo and PM coming off the bench.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

The overreacting is funny.

A) Teams will have to decide if they want to abandon what they do on defense and play zone......

B) Mulcahy is not a PG, never was a B1G level PG, BUT HE is a B1G level player and will be fine...asking a non shooter from anywhere else other than the corners, is not going to work against a zone defense.

C) Pike and everyone with some basketball brains, can clearly see that Hyatt and Jones are your best options....However you have to develop or find roles for Mulcahy and Caleb, so they can score and get this team towards 70 PPG.

Fans need just watch and see how the staff decides to use Mulcahy and Caleb and if they can find room at the foul line against a zone....if they do and score, RU looks much better.....in the 2 games, Mulcahy has been dreadful....gotta figure he doesn't play this bad all year.

D) When teams play man to man defense vs RU, I would imagine that the offense will look much better and less guard reliant. I actually think the more zone RU sees, the better off RU will be down the road, so it may look bad now.....can RU defeat a team, dedicated to man to man defense, if you don't have Hyatt and Jaden on the court?? We haven't seen teams play man yet.

E) We saw a lot of the same adjustments for newcomers to the lineup....I remember Jacob Young and his 1st handful of games in 2019-20.....games at Pitt with 5 or 6 turnovers, pressing and trying to prove he was worthy of being a high caliber transfer who Texas didn't need.....he was a pest on defense, but gambled way too much in his 1st 12 or so games and at the same time, Mulcahy in his frosh year had a couple of good starts against inferior competition, but then fell back into reality as teams adjust. Those were scary times because we still had the crybaby whining about losing Eugene, all happened together during a loss to St Bona in Toronto...

This is a team that has a lot of new pieces and when you experiment with lineups to get players going, it would be ideal if Caleb and Mulcahy got going sooner than later.....so you can have the 7 players who can all get you 8 or more points...that's the formula for success.

I wouldn't expect a lineup change too early, because as much as fans want all 5 scorers on the court all the time, it becomes easier to stop RU in January and February, if you abandon ship on Mulcahy and Caleb (and Agee) too soon.

To the fans who want to schedule Duke at MSG or upgrade the OOC with this many new faces, good luck....this team needs time and hopefully sorts it out in the next 2 games. I'm sticking with Mulcahy and Caleb and they'll get going.....

 

[TDIrish27]

Agree completely Hawk

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

We are stinking the bed because Mulcahy; Caleb and Agee have been awful. I’m glad Pike benched them in the second half and went with Jones; Hyatt and Reiber

I think it is a bit more than that.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

We can analyze who should play and how we should attack certain defenses. That stuff is important. However...

We have 2 senior leaders who I believe are co captains. My key coming in to this year was all about them and the passion they play with on both sides of the court. Maybe it will take a few shots going in to get them going (which is unfortunate).

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

We can analyze who should play and how we should attack certain defenses. That stuff is important. However...

We have 2 senior leaders who I believe are co captains. My key coming in to this year was all about them and the passion they play with on both sides of the court. Maybe it will take a few shots going in to get them going (which is unfortunate).

I don't know why you are trying to isolate Geo and RHJ to appearing to play harder when their shots fall.....did you see Mulcahy or the others body language when they didn't make shots or got fouled with no calls??

First it's Geo and RHJ aren't good enough and Jacob, Myles were the best players on the team and irreplaceable and Hyatt and Jones are terrible........and its not good enough if Geo and RHJ aren't 1st team all B1G 30 out of 30 games....just pick a lane and stay in it.....either get on board with the program.....or reminisce about players past....

 

[Degaz-RU]

We can analyze who should play and how we should attack certain defenses. That stuff is important. However...

We have 2 senior leaders who I believe are co captains. My key coming in to this year was all about them and the passion they play with on both sides of the court. Maybe it will take a few shots going in to get them going (which is unfortunate).

Harper has been very energetic and passionate in both games despite not hitting from deep. He has been our most consistent player and has two double doubles. I think he has met your concern.

Geo has also been energetic. He just hasn’t hit as many shots as we’d like, but his 12 second half points against Lehigh, and 6 assists against Merrimack, were major reasons we won those games.

Geo and Harper are not the problem right now. Yes, they need to hit more shots, but their overall play cannot be questioned.

The problems thus far have been Mulcahy, McConnell, and Agee. Those spots have been huge negatives thus far.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Updated +/- thru 2(vs Merrimack)
Cliff +20(+5, 32min), Caleb +9(-3, 18min), Paul +2(-2, 19min), Reiber +1(+2, 4min)
RHJ +5(+7, 35min), Jaden +4(+7, 15min), Geo +4(+9, 35min), Hyatt +4(+10, 25min)
Mag DNP(-2, 13min), Agee -10(0, 4min)

I think Pike is keeping it vanilla thru 2 games and trying to figure out what combinations will work in 2021-22 with so many new pieces leading to early struggles, where as he had a better understanding of his rotation from 2019-20 to 2020-21 right out of the gate. He has 6 players and Jaden is the most logical #7. He has to figure out an #8, 8 1/2, #9, 9 1/2, #10. Pike seems to be leaning Mag as an #8, more upside, Paul, J. Langan, Dane Miller type does a little everything. Agee or Reiber can be a 1/2 based on opponents and when Cliff needs a 4 minute blow each half or foul trouble. Jalen needs a 4 minute run against NJIT and could be a defensive stopper to quicker smaller Pt Guards guy for now. That seems to be my early impressions after thinking about it.

 

[G- RUnit]

I'm more concerned about RHJ than PM/CM.

PM/CM are who we thought they were.
Role players.

RHJ, our best player, is scoring 14 and 13pts against our 2 worst oppenents.
His career average is 14pts. Would have expected well over that against Lehigh/Merrimack.

Game 1: 5-12 shooting and 4-5FT but 0-3 from 3pt
Game 2: 5-13 shooting and 1-5 FT.
He scored 7pts in the 1st half and 6 in the 2nd.

He's the guy supposed to stop an 11min drought.

The rebounds are great but when does the scoring happen if not against Lehigh/Merrimack?

Who is going to pick up the slack?

For all the hand ringing about Caleb and Paul, isn't this a far bigger issue? These are supposed to be 20+ points games for best players in country and all B1G. Only +5 in the Hockey System? Cliff is +20. Paul is +2.

 

[goru7]

Lets be clear. Ron Harper and Big Cliff have showed up in the first two games big time. Double double for Cliff today with 11 point and 13 rebounds and Harper with 13 points/11 boards, his 2nd straight double double. Those two are showing how it gets done. They are our best two players by far. Today we saw the future with Jaden Jones and Andre Hyatt stepping up after once again our 3 upperclassmen starters were dreadful. These two basically sparked the win. Today's game had me incensed in the game thread. Let us be honest. Merrimack was terrible. They were nothing like Lehigh. The first half was a shitshow embarrassment....5 fg in 20 minutes on 5-25 shooting, only one made fg in 11 minutes. Just a dreadful showing for a team that is full of experienced players who know better who seemingly approached this game the same as their other poor effort vs Lehigh. I will credit the defensive effort in the 2nd half. Even as terrible as Merrimack is, RU went on a 17-0 run over about 8 and half minutes and yes their defense bothered Merrimack into taking jump shots almost all of them shorts or rushed bunnies. So as far as defense goes both 2nd halves of the first two games have been solid. Today just left me with a ton of questions and I am not sure the this is the team we thought we knew. I do not have analysis. Its all questions. I'm looking through you, where did you go. I thought I knew you, what did I know. You don't look different, but you have changed. I'm looking through you, you're not the same


Do you know why an experienced NCAA with 4 upperclassmen is coming out of the gate with little passion?

Do you know why Pikiell cannot figure out how to light a spark under his team?

Do you know why Geo Baker continues to be a ghost in the first half?

Do you know why Paul Mulcahy is taking 3 of our first 4 shots?

Do you know why Caleb McConnell is taking 2 of our first 5 shots?

Do you know IF our best players are actually not the ones in the starting lineup?

Do you know why Pikiell insists on trotting out the historically proven ineffective lineup of Geo/Paul/Caleb as our guards?

Did you know our starting guards were 1-15 overall and 0-12 in the first half?

Do you still think JY wasnt an enormous loss?

Do you think that Pikiell is falling back on loyalty over talent?

Do you know why Jaden Jones barely played in the first game and the first half of this game?

Do you think Hyatt and Jones are better than Caleb and Paul?

Do you know why it took guys like Hyatt and Jones to spark the win over a rotten team rather than the NCAA experienced playters

Do you know why we wouldnt try to pound the ball to Cliff everytime down the court?

Do you know why we were so bothered by a very low minor conference's teams matchup zone?

Do you know why people thought Agee was a capable player as backup to Cliff coming from a midmajor where he was unimpressive?

Do you know why recruiting isn't all that hot despite a NCAA tourney bid?

Do you think that there needs to be a lineup change soon?

Do you think that there will be a lineup change?

Do you know why the RAC was chilly?

Do you have any more questions?

Do you know where this team is going to?



I'm looking through you, where did you go?
I thought I knew you, what did I know?
You don't look different, but you have changed
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Your lips are moving, I cannot hear
Your voice is soothing, but the words aren't clear
You don't sound different, I've learned the game
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight

You're thinking of me, the same old way
You were above me, but not today
The only difference is you're down there
I'm looking through you, and you're nowhere

Why, tell me why, did you not treat me right?
Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight

I'm looking through you, where did you go
I thought I knew you, what did I know
You don't look different, but you have changed
I'm looking through you, you're not the same

Bac, excellent thought provoking post for a message board filled with passionate fans.
Some answers but only my opinion so not a fact as I try not to overreact after just 2 games.
Pike has always experimented with lineups and usually does take more time than us fans like to settle on what he believes is the best lineup. Right now he thinks Paul can be a good point guard and Caleb and Geo should all be playing together . It appears clear that they should not be on the court together often as 2-3 do not provide enough of a scoring option and when Geo disappears or is not aggressive in the first half or for stretches , then it is a clusterfuck. To make matters worse , Paul is holding the ball too long , fails to make crisp passes, and get the offensive scorers the ball ready to shoot or drive past their man. Plus his getting stuck in the lane and not dishing out for 3’s has also been uncharacteristic selfish of him. So bring off the bench and split minutes with Caleb.

Caleb used to have such a sweet stroke especially mid range and for some reason last year he changed his shooting form and he has been off ever since. Why? I do not know. His defense is almost always good as his his rebounding but he has to do more off the ball movement and rebounding.


Geo , so frustrating for a 5thyear super senior. One would think his coming back for a reason, deep tourney run , he would be aggressive and take over or set the tone . But his passive starts have to end. The other night he had 12 second half points against Lehigh but a goose egg in the first half because he didn’t try to score and impact the game. A simple 2 made shots and 2 foul shots , as he should drive more , like he did in the second half , gives him 18 points. I do not think that is asking a lot. His mid range game should be close to unstoppable and he should only take threes when he is wide open and he does not have to force it. Maybe he was deferring to Paul and Caleb but that must stop. We need Geo to go far.

Now it is pretty clear Hyatt should be starting up front with Ron and Cliff , and then either Geo and Caleb or Paul. If Paul sits let him come in with Jaden Jones and let him set up Jones off curls or downscreens. We finally have a shooter and we must set him up to shoot , pretty simple to me. Hyatt does a little bit of everything and is doing it better than the guards , he shoots better , rebounds better , moves without the ball and is just a heady player that will really help us this year and his minutes have to increase.


Cliff and Ron are very solid and can do more. One way Cliff can do more is feed him. Our guards under Pike going back 2-3 years and I blame Geo and Jacob , we have been terrible at feeding the post. The counter argument is Myles was not good enough to feed. That is pure hogwash. Playing inside out will always make a team a more efficient offensive team and will set up better and more open 3 point looks . Now we have Cliff, and his visible tremendous offensive improvement , a low post threat. Use him feed him. Paul in the past year when he played with Cliff and even before with Myles , set up a lot of alleyoops and easy passes for dunks or layins. Paul and all the guards have to do more of that.

Backup center is an issue . Agee was an offensive first choice at San Jose State for a bad team as he could hit a mid range shot. So far his defense and overall game after just 2 games looks lost. Have to believe it will get better. But Reiber has to be an option as Pike did yesterday in the second half. He has shown flashes athletically and on offense and actually has a decent shot . Plus he can play some defense and shot block. We only need 4-6 minutes per half for Cliff to get a blow ( assuming no foul trouble , which I know will happen ) .

Let your better shooters Jones , Hyatt , Cliff, Ron and Geo mid range game shoot more and I think our terrible % after 2 games will improve.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I don't know why you are trying to isolate Geo and RHJ to appearing to play harder when their shots fall.....did you see Mulcahy or the others body language when they didn't make shots or got fouled with no calls??

First it's Geo and RHJ aren't good enough and Jacob, Myles were the best players on the team and irreplaceable and Hyatt and Jones are terrible........and its not good enough if Geo and RHJ aren't 1st team all B1G 30 out of 30 games....just pick a lane and stay in it.....either get on board with the program.....or reminisce about players past....

I think I am pretty consistent with my thoughts and I will admit when I am wrong. I will also not change my thoughts when a player leaves the team and point to that players shortfalls of why the current year team is better.

I am also a very big fan of the program. Don’t excuse my realism for not caring about the program.

maybe I value defense and effort too much. Yes the players that left the program were probably my 3 favorite players.

 

[zebnatto]

That the team seems to lack true passion is a real problem. Don’t think Geo’s “quiet” leadership will do.

Given the offense we were running against M, Paul had wide open shots that he had to take. His misses are already in his head but I think he’ll work himself out of it.

JY was definitely a big loss as a defender and as the one guy who could break down a D. With his aspirations, would he try to show himself off too much this year?

Hyatt and Jones have definitely performed better than Paul and Caleb. Paul and Caleb seem to be playing the worst hoops of their careers. Let’s at least get back to previous levels.

In that zone they were playing I think we should have consistently put Ron at the foul line and Paul or whoever out on the wing.

Recruiting has been very disappointing. Getting one top tier player (Cliff and Jaden) per year is okay if the other recruits are good role players. (I think Mag will be that as long as not asked to do too much—just bring energy, play good D, rebound, score your points on put backs mostly).

Lineup change soon, not necessarily immediately.

What happened to the tough, chip-on-the-shoulder team we’ve come to expect?